Srinagar, July 17: Buddhist spiritual leader Dalai Lama who is on 6-day visit of summer capital Tuesday visited religious places including Dargah Hazaratbal, Gupt Ganga Shiva Temple and Gurdawara Chatti Padshahi.
 He paid obeisance at these religious places and prayed for peace and prosperity of the world especially Jammu and Kashmir.
 Minister for Tourism and Culture, Nawang Rigzin Jora accompanied Dalai Lama during his visit to these sites.
 “Dalai Lama visited 500-year-old Gupt Ganga Shiv Temple, where lord Shiva is believed to have stayed overnight while going to Amarnathji Cave,” an official handout said.
 Later Dalai Lama was received by Advisor to Chief Minister Mubarak Gul besides large number of people at the tomb of late Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah.
 The spiritual Buddhist leader while sharing his ideas said: “Late Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah was close friend of mine, I met the late leader several times, who always showed genuine concern to my cause.” He prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul.
 “Dalai Lama also visited the tomb of Madri Meharban Begum Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah and paid floral tributes there,” the official handout said.
 Interacting with the people on the occasion, Dalia Lama said that  Kashmir is world famous for hospitality and “I always remember  the warm welcome  and excellent hospitality of the people of Kashmir which they extended  to me during the visit”.
 At Hazratbal the Dalai Lama was received by Imam of Dargah Sharif , Molvi Bashir Din Farooqi and other religious leaders besides a large number of people.
 The Dalai Lama paid obeisance at Dargah Sharif Hazratbal and prayed for peace and prosperity of the State. He said that “I feel solace while visiting pilgrim sites like Dargah Hazratbal”, and said that all religions give the message of brotherhood, communal harmony and amity. He said we should follow the right path as enshrined in all religious scriptures.
 Dalai Lama also paid obeisance at Gurdwara Chatti Padshahi, where he also prayed for peace and prosperity of the humanity. He was honoured by Saroopa by the grand Granthi.
  Sharing his ideas on the occasion, the Dalai Lama said that Sikhism was “non sectarian religion”. He said: “In the present world the teachings of Guru Nanak Ji have great relevance”. Dalai Lama added that by the hard work and dedication of Sikh community, Punjab could become one of the richest states of India.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 17 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 18 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST